Book Review: Abaddon’s Gate by James S.A. Corey
The Story
Abaddon’s Gate is the third installment in the captivating science fiction series The Expanse. Building on the events of Caliban’s War, this book delves deeper into the mysteries of the alien protomolecule and escalates the story to a truly cosmic scale. After the massive structure built by the protomolecule, known as the Ring, activates outside the orbit of Uranus, humanity races to uncover its secrets—and to control what lies beyond it.
The narrative follows multiple points of view, as is typical for the series. Chief among them is Jim Holden, captain of the Rocinante, who is drawn into the growing tensions between Earth, Mars, and the Outer Planets Alliance (OPA). Meanwhile, new characters are introduced, including Anna Volovodov, a Methodist pastor sent to document the journey through the Ring, and Bull, a UNN security officer working to keep fragile peace on the Behemoth, the OPA’s massive warship retrofitted from a salvaged generation ship.
The story explores themes of redemption, faith, and the consequences of human ambition, all set against the backdrop of a bizarre and awe-inspiring alien megastructure. As the various factions move through the newly revealed space beyond the Ring, tensions explode and long-standing human conflicts flare up — exactly the kind of drama that fans of space opera will revel in. The action proceeds with sharp pacing, intense character development, and the type of imaginative sci-fi concepts that make The Expanse such a standout series.
The Authors: James S.A. Corey
James S.A. Corey is the pen name for the writing team of Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck. Daniel Abraham is a well-established fantasy and science fiction author with credentials including contributions to the Wild Cards series and his own epic fantasy series, The Dagger and the Coin. Ty Franck was once the personal assistant to George R. R. Martin and is credited for creating the initial universe and game that would become the basis for The Expanse.
Together, they bring a unique balance of character-driven storytelling and vast, well-conceived world-building. The pen name itself was created as a fusion of science fiction sensibilities (S.A.) with a nod to Ty’s middle name (Corey). Their collaborative effort has resulted in one of the most ambitious and grounded science fiction series of the 21st century, which was so well-received that it was adapted into a successful television series by the Syfy Channel and later by Amazon Prime Video.
Reflection & What Makes This Book Special
What stands out most about Abaddon’s Gate is its moral and philosophical depth. While it definitely delivers the thrilling action sequences and political drama we’ve come to expect from The Expanse, this entry adds a mature exploration of existential themes. Anna’s viewpoint, in particular, allows the reader to consider the spiritual implications of humanity encountering vastly superior alien technologies — and what it means to maintain one’s moral compass in an increasingly complex universe.
As someone who has followed the series from the beginning, I appreciated how Abaddon’s Gate slows things down just enough to let its characters breathe and evolve. Holden’s internal struggles with the ghost of Miller and his role in shaping the fate of the solar system feel authentic and earned. The authors manage to make the cosmic feel personal, and the personal feel cosmic — a rare skill in science fiction writing. This book is pivotal in transitioning the series from being a political thriller in space to a deep and layered space opera about humanity’s place in the universe.
Whether you are a longtime fan or new to The Expanse, Abaddon’s Gate offers a rich, thought-provoking experience infused with just the right amount of tension, wonder, and world-shaking change. It’s more than just a space adventure—it’s a deep dive into what it means to be human, even when faced with the incomprehensible.
Happy reading, and I will see you in the next post!